Shades of green: the battle lines

JOHN Gormley says there will not be enough waste generated to fuel the Poolbeg incinerator -- the ESRI says there will. Mr Gormley plans to introduce a cap or limit on the amount of waste that can be incinerated -- the ESRI says this means legally-binding targets will be missed and fines imposed. If a cap is put in place, it will encourage a switch to other forms of treatment -- the ESRI says it will delay projects and add to the cost of building facilities. The Environment Minister says only waste produced in Dublin should be treated in Poolbeg -- there is no reason for this, says the ESRI. The minister says the amount of household waste being generated is falling because more people are recycling and composting -- the ESRI says waste generated will increase by 4pc a year from 2011 when the economy returns to growth. The Government assumes that up to 70pc of all waste will be recycled -- this is "extremely unlikely to be successful or cost effective". Mr Gormley wants household waste generation to fall from 300kgs to 150kgs by 2020 -- England and Wales have similar targets, but will not achieve them for 20 years, the ESRI says.

JOHN Gormley says there will not be enough waste generated to fuel the Poolbeg incinerator -- the ESRI says there will. Mr Gormley plans to introduce a cap or limit on the amount of waste that can be incinerated -- the ESRI says this means legally-binding targets will be missed and fines imposed. If a cap is put in place, it will encourage a switch to other forms of treatment -- the ESRI says it will delay projects and add to the cost of building facilities. The Environment Minister says only waste produced in Dublin should be treated in Poolbeg -- there is no reason for this, says the ESRI. The minister says the amount of household waste being generated is falling because more people are recycling and composting -- the ESRI says waste generated will increase by 4pc a year from 2011 when the economy returns to growth. The Government assumes that up to 70pc of all waste will be recycled -- this is "extremely unlikely to be successful or cost effective". Mr Gormley wants household waste generation to fall from 300kgs to 150kgs by 2020 -- England and Wales have similar targets, but will not achieve them for 20 years, the ESRI says.